Startup Drinks or IT Martini?

Last month, two tech related drinking events debuted in Columbus just one day apart. Startup Drinks had about 25 people show up. IT Martini however had over 200 people attend. By all accounts, both events were a success. Startup Drinks was promoted purly by blogging and word of mouth. I’m hoping that cSUDs dos (as it’s now dubbed, e.g. Columbus Startup Drinks) will have more folks given more awareness and the fact that I announced it to the people at Startup Weekend Columbus. IT Martini however, seemed to have more corporate support, and was pushed by TechColumbus and perhaps corporate sponsors. There is room for both Startup Drinks and IT Martini in Columbus. I am however a bit disappointed that IT Martini sees fit to charge $25 to attend its event. You have some sponsors. Aren’t they helping pay freight? Why not let folks meet for free. I asked the question of the IT Martini folks, and they responded:

To answer Alvin’s question above: there are two simple reasons why IT Martini Hour isn’t free to the public. First off, there are costs that need to be covered! Secondly, the event is about more than a ‘good time’, it’s about IT Professional development. Keeping the general public at bay provides an IT Martini Hour experience that’s focused exclusively on IT Professionals. And keep in mind, we work hard with our IT Community Partners to make the event low cost, and free, for as many IT Professionals as possible.

Fair enough. But I think I’ll pass on IT Martini as long as it continues to charge. Rather, I’ll go to Startup Drinks.

Popularity: 11% [?]

sary

Thats a little excessive for a drink they shouldn't waste they're time promoting such a poor drink but for martinis its a good price because its a knowable drink for that matter. kitty Ohio Drug Treatment

wyliemac

Wow! I had no idea Dwite Schrute from The Office reads my blog! Awesome. ;-p

Dwight

I went to the first ITMH and had a great time. Awesome hosts, kick *ss crowd, and tasty drinks were some of the highlights. I will definitely be at the next one in September!

Stair Lifts

I think that the $25 dollars does seem a little excessive too, but I can understand the explanation that IT Martini provided.

Andrew Hyde

One of the reasons we created Startup Drinks is to have a decentralized, low key event. There is room and purpose for both types.

Brian Jones

I also agree that there is room for each group/event and that a person may be interested in both. I know I am. Each group addresses different needs with some overlap. The rubber hits the road in how effective each is at addressing these needs. Otherwise, they won't be around. These groups (and the others to come) are fantastic for Columbus and those who participate. They provide great opportunities even for something as simple as getting out of the house, and especially the office, to relax. I just love breaking away from the monitor to shake a hand, meet new people, catch up with others, and see what's out there. Oh, and a cold drink doesn't hurt.

wyliemac

Thanks for your comment. I certainly agree with your assessment regarding the two types. The crux of my post was to point out that I would rather go to a free event than one that charges. That said, I got your e-mail with the code to get in for free! So it looks like I will be attending IT Martini. I just tried to apply the discount code ITMARTINIROLES, but it didn't work.

IT Martini Co-Founde

Hello 270 readers! Wyliemac, you've raised a great question, and to a large extent, you've also answered it very well. IT Martini is about IT Professionals: providing an opportunity to extend their social networks, focus on professional development, and have some fun. IT Martini Hour is promoted to IT Professionals in mostly corporate roles, who desire events with this type of convergence. You make an observation about two types of people that attend these events: those who are IT Pros, and those who are entrepreneurs with an 'interest' in technology. This is dead-on analysis, in my opinion. Startup Drinks caters to the entrepreneurial set, whose casual contact with technology may keep them from having the 'IT Professional' title. IT Martini caters to IT Professionals exclusively. So the real question is, are these mutually exclusive, competing groups? Absolutely not! Many IT Professionals moonlight as entrepreneurs, and may get a tremendous boost from events like Startup Drinks. And likewise, non-IT-Professional entrepreneurs may want to take advantage of events like IT Martini Hour, to better understand the technology behind their next 'big idea.' And that's the great thing about Columbus: there's plenty of room for all kinds of groups. Thanks for taking the time to post your feedback! - IT Martini Co-Founders

wyliemac

It was late last night when I posted it. But these are two wholely different events that target different types of folks. I think I'm more of the IT Martini target in that I'm comfortable with the corporate life. But the inner entrepreneur / idea guy in me identifies more with the Startup Drinks type. The organic lets go out and build it type. IT Martini is about building your rolodex (nothing wrong with that). Startup Drinks is that plus the lets do something mentality.

Dan Rockwell

$25 a head seems excessive especially if it doesn't pay for a drinks, food or access to a cool space to meet. Columbus is probably going to be plagued by multiple splinter type groups until ultimately people in general decide who or what they want to align themselves with. Its basically the wild wild west right now for social media groups in town. Geek reign is starting to give way to corporate folks eager to drink the cool koolaid we've been drinking on social media, sadly they are gonna go the elite route and try and make it exclusive. Which will fail eventually as you point out I think. I don't mind paying provided it either gets me food, a drink or gives me access to space I wouldn't normally of had access to easily. But making $5,000 off of 200 people so they can say hey, does seem like a rip, but gotta give them credit for getting away with that for now.

Startup Drinks or IT Martini?

Conversation with @wyliemac

TwitPics